Male bodybuilding was permitted in Afghanistan during the Taliban’s 1996-2001 reign of terror.
But since a U.S.-led invasion toppled the regime 11 years ago, the sport has never been stronger in the war-ravaged nation.
That’s evident in the following photos from Sun Media’s wire service.
An Afghan woman wearing a burqa walks by a bodybuilding poster in Kabul on Aug. 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ALEXANDER KLEIN
A young boy flexes his muscles during a regional bodybuilding competition in Kabul on April 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO/JOHANNES EISELE
Afghan bodybuilders compete in the bantamweight class (less than 65 kgs) during a regional bodybuilding competition in Kabul on April 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO/JOHANNES EISELE
Afghan bodybuilders compete in the lightweight class (less than 70 kgs) during a regional bodybuilding competition in Kabul on April 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO/JOHANNES EISELE
Afghan bodybuilders compete in the middleweight class (less than 80 kgs) during a regional bodybuilding competition in Kabul on April 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO/JOHANNES EISELE
An Afghan bodybuilder prepares to compete in the middleweight class (less than 80 kgs) during a regional bodybuilding competition in Kabul on April 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO/JOHANNES EISELE
An Afghan policmen looks at an Afghan bodybuilder getting ready to preform in the Mr. Afghanistan nation wide bodybuilding competition in Kabul on May 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Bay ISMOYO
Men prepare for a bodybuilding competition in Kabul May 9, 2012. Hundreds of competitors entered the annual competition, organized by Afghanistan’s national Olympic organization, to vie for the title of Mr. Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani
Afghan men strike a pose during a national bodybuilding competition in Kabul May 9, 2012. Hundreds of competitors entered the annual competition, organized by Afghanistan’s national Olympic organization, to vie for the title of Mr. Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani
An official hugs Afghan bodybuilder Mohammad Yousuf Sakhi (centre) after he won the Mr. Afghanistan nation wide bodybuilding competition in Kabul on May 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Bay ISMOYO
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